This list contains Latin words with their English translations. The words included here are those that you are likely to find in genealogical sources. If the word (or some form of it) that you are looking for is not on this list, please consult a Latin-English dictionary. (See the "Additional Resources" section below.)

This list contains Latin words with their English translations. The words included here are those that you are likely to find in genealogical sources. If the word (or some form of it) that you are looking for is not on this list, please consult a Latin-English dictionary. (See the "Additional Resources" section below.)

Many resources exist that will help you read Latin genealogical records. One of these is the [https://www.familysearch.org/learn/researchcourses Reading Handwritten Records Series] of free online classes available at familysearch.org. This series includes one interactive lesson about Latin words and phrases, which includes a printable handout of key words and phrases.

Many resources exist that will help you read Latin genealogical records. One of these is the [https://www.familysearch.org/learn/researchcourses Reading Handwritten Records Series] of free online classes available at familysearch.org. This series includes one interactive lesson about Latin words and phrases, which includes a printable handout of key words and phrases.

−

Another resource is the National Archives of England, they have 12 online lessons covering&nbsp;latin records from 1086 to 1733, each lesson provides step by step instructions and is listed under the title of "[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/latin/beginners/tutorial/default.htm Beginners' Latin Tutorial]".

+

Another resource is the National Archives of England, they have 12 online lessons covering latin records from 1086 to 1733, each lesson provides step by step instructions and is listed under the title of "[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/latin/beginners/tutorial/default.htm Beginners' Latin Tutorial]".

+

+

The Internet can be of great assistance in trying to translate Latin. There are some dictionaries and word lists as well as some sites that will translate for you. One good website is [http://archives.nd.edu/words.html William Whitaker's Words] for translating words. [http://www.sunsite.ubc.ca/LatinDictionary/HyperText/latin-dict-full.html Latin Dictionary] and [http://archives.nd.edu/latgramm.htm Latin Dictionary and Grammar Aid] are Latin dictionaries. It is important to remember with using any of these websites that you have to be careful about accepting the meaning. Be sure that the meaning makes sense with what you are trying to translate.<br>

Latin is the mother language for many modern European languages. Many words in English, Spanish, French, and other languages resemble Latin words and have the same or similar meanings.

Latin is the mother language for many modern European languages. Many words in English, Spanish, French, and other languages resemble Latin words and have the same or similar meanings.

Line 35:

Line 37:

Some words can be either masculine or feminine, such as ''patrinus'' (godfather) and ''patrina'' (godmother). This word list usually gives only the male form even though a female form may occur in Latin records. Thus, given the word ''famulus'' (servant), you can conclude that ''famula'' is a female servant. Similarly, this word list gives only ''natus est'' ("he was born"). You can conclude that ''nata est'' means "she was born." The plural form ''nati sunt'' means "they were born."

Some words can be either masculine or feminine, such as ''patrinus'' (godfather) and ''patrina'' (godmother). This word list usually gives only the male form even though a female form may occur in Latin records. Thus, given the word ''famulus'' (servant), you can conclude that ''famula'' is a female servant. Similarly, this word list gives only ''natus est'' ("he was born"). You can conclude that ''nata est'' means "she was born." The plural form ''nati sunt'' means "they were born."

Additional dictionaries are listed under {{FHL|318014|subject-id|disp=LATIN LANGUAGE - DICTIONARIES}} in the [[Family History Library Catalog Subject Search|Subject&nbsp;Search]] of the [[Introduction to the Family History Library Catalog|Family History Library Catalog]]. Most bookstores carry useful, inexpensive Latin-English dictionaries.

+

Additional dictionaries are listed under {{FHL|318014|subject-id|disp=LATIN LANGUAGE - DICTIONARIES}} in the [[Family History Library Catalog Subject Search|Subject Search]] of the [[Introduction to the Family History Library Catalog|Family History Library Catalog]]. Most bookstores carry useful, inexpensive Latin-English dictionaries.

on account of, for, according to <br>he fell asleep, died <br>they died, have died <br>because of impending danger of death

on account of, for, according to <br>he fell asleep, died <br>they died, have died <br>because of impending danger of death

−

<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">he/she died, went away, departed&nbsp;</span><br>[died without issue] <br>death, died <br>midwife <br>eighth <br>eighteenth <br>eight hundredth <br>eight hundred <br>eight <br>of October <br>a person in his eighties <br>eightieth <br>eighty <br>official <br>formerly, once (sometimes denotes a deceased person; also used in English church records to denote a name change, such as a slave name prior to baptism; "formerly known as") <br>all, every <br>day laborer <br>city, town <br>orphan <br>origin, birth <br>originating (from), born <br>orphan <br>origin, birth <br>shepherd

+

<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">he/she died, went away, departed </span><br>[died without issue] <br>death, died <br>midwife <br>eighth <br>eighteenth <br>eight hundredth <br>eight hundred <br>eight <br>of October <br>a person in his eighties <br>eightieth <br>eighty <br>official <br>formerly, once (sometimes denotes a deceased person; also used in English church records to denote a name change, such as a slave name prior to baptism; "formerly known as") <br>all, every <br>day laborer <br>city, town <br>orphan <br>origin, birth <br>originating (from), born <br>orphan <br>origin, birth <br>shepherd

| where <br>legitimately born (born to a married couple)<br>last, final <br>extreme unction, the last rites, anointing <br>wherefore, whereupon, whence <br>eleven <br>eleventh <br>nineteenth <br>nineteen <br>Hungarian <br>only (born) son, unique, only begotten <br>one, only, together <br>city <br>how, as, that, therewith, in order that <br>on mother's side of family, of the same mother <br>as below <br>as above <br>wife <br>married

| where <br>legitimately born (born to a married couple)<br>last, final <br>extreme unction, the last rites, anointing <br>wherefore, whereupon, whence <br>eleven <br>eleventh <br>nineteenth <br>nineteen <br>Hungarian <br>only (born) son, unique, only begotten <br>one, only, together <br>city <br>how, as, that, therewith, in order that <br>on mother's side of family, of the same mother <br>as below <br>as above <br>wife <br>married

This list contains Latin words with their English translations. The words included here are those that you are likely to find in genealogical sources. If the word (or some form of it) that you are looking for is not on this list, please consult a Latin-English dictionary. (See the "Additional Resources" section below.)

Many resources exist that will help you read Latin genealogical records. One of these is the Reading Handwritten Records Series of free online classes available at familysearch.org. This series includes one interactive lesson about Latin words and phrases, which includes a printable handout of key words and phrases.

Another resource is the National Archives of England, they have 12 online lessons covering latin records from 1086 to 1733, each lesson provides step by step instructions and is listed under the title of "Beginners' Latin Tutorial".

The Internet can be of great assistance in trying to translate Latin. There are some dictionaries and word lists as well as some sites that will translate for you. One good website is William Whitaker's Words for translating words. Latin Dictionary and Latin Dictionary and Grammar Aid are Latin dictionaries. It is important to remember with using any of these websites that you have to be careful about accepting the meaning. Be sure that the meaning makes sense with what you are trying to translate.

Latin is the mother language for many modern European languages. Many words in English, Spanish, French, and other languages resemble Latin words and have the same or similar meanings.

Latin was used in the records of most European countries and in the Roman Catholic records of the United States and Canada. Because Latin was used in so many countries, local usage varied. Certain terms were commonly used in some countries but not in others. In addition, the Latin used in British records has more abbreviations than the Latin used in European records.

Language Characteristics

Variant Forms of Words

In Latin, the endings of most words vary according to how the words are used in a sentence. Who—whose— whom or marry—marries—married are examples of words in English with variant forms. This word list gives the most commonly seen form of each Latin word. As you read Latin records, be aware that almost all words vary with usage.

Gender

Latin words for persons, places, and things (nouns) are classified as masculine, feminine, or neuter. For example, rex (king) is a masculine word, aetas (age) is a feminine word, and oppidum (town) is a neuter word.

Words that describe persons, places, or things (adjectives) will have either masculine, feminine, or neuter endings. For example, in Latin you would write magnus rex (great king), magna aetas (great age), and magnum oppidum (large town).

This word list gives only the masculine form of adjectives. For example:

noster, nostra, nostrum (our) is listed as noster

magnus, magna, magnum (great, large) is listed as magnus

nobilis, nobile (noble, known) is listed as nobilis

Some words can be either masculine or feminine, such as patrinus (godfather) and patrina (godmother). This word list usually gives only the male form even though a female form may occur in Latin records. Thus, given the word famulus (servant), you can conclude that famula is a female servant. Similarly, this word list gives only natus est ("he was born"). You can conclude that nata est means "she was born." The plural form nati sunt means "they were born."

Grammar

The endings of Latin words can also vary depending on the grammatical use of the words. Latin grammar requires a specific type of ending for a word used as the subject of the sentence, used in the possessive, used as the object of a verb, or used with a preposition. Latin words fall into several classes, each with its own set of grammatical endings.

If you do not find a Latin word in this list with the same ending as the word in your Latin document, find a similar ending in the examples below to see how the word in your document is used:

filius

son

(pater) filii

(father) of the son

(baptizavi) filium

(I baptized the) son

(ex) filio

(from) the son

vidua

widow

(filius) viduae

(son) of the widow

(sepelivi) viduam

(I buried the) widow

(ex) vidua

(from) the widow

pater

father

(filius) patris

(son) of the father

(sepelivi) patrem

(I buried the) father

(ex) patre

(from) the father

Other noun endings change as follows to show possession:

-as may change to -atis

-ns may change to -ntis

-or may change to -oris

-tio may change to -tionis

Example: sartor (tailor) changes to sartoris (of the tailor)

Words that show action (verbs) also vary depending on who is doing the action and whether the action is past, present, or future. For example, the Latin word baptizare (to baptize) will appear with various endings:

Present

Past

baptize

have baptized, baptized

(I) baptizo

baptizavi, baptizabam

(he) baptizat

baptizavit, baptizabat

(they) baptizant

baptizaverunt, baptizabant

is baptized

was baptized

(he) baptizatur

baptizatus est

Spelling

Spelling rules were not standardized in earlier centuries. The following spelling variations are common in Latin documents:

i and j used interchangeably

u and v used interchangeably

e used for ae (æ)

e used for oe (œ)

c used for qu

Examples:

ejusdem or eiusdem

civis or ciuis

preceptor or praeceptor

celebs or coelebs

quondam or condam

Additional Resources

This word list includes only the words most commonly found in genealogical sources. For further help, use a Latin-English dictionary. Latin-English dictionaries are available on each floor of the Family History Library. The call numbers begin with 473.21.

Key Words

To find and use specific types of Latin records, you will need to know some key words in Latin. This section lists key genealogical terms in English and gives the Latin words that have the same or similar meanings.

For example, in the first column you will find the English word marriage. In the second column you will find Latin words with meanings such as marry, marriage, wedding, wedlock, unite, legitimate, joined, and other words used in Latin records to indicate marriage.

Numbers

In some genealogical records, numbers—especially dates—are written out. The following list gives the cardinal (1, 2, 3) and the ordinal (1st, 2nd, 3rd) versions of each number. Ordinal numbers are adjectives and may sometimes appear with the feminine ending (-a) or the neuter ending (-um). In written dates the ordinal numbers usually end with the grammatical ending (-o). Example:

Englishin the year of the Lord in the year (since/of) the incarnation of the Lord leap year before noon (a.m.) on the next day space of two days, two-day period tomorrow on the following day this very day of the same day in the same year on the same day in the same month at this time today for a long time in the morning noon at night three days earlier three days earlier of the present time day after tomorrow after noon (p.m.) after noon (p.m.) on the day after, a day later the day before for (at) the time space of three days, three-day period of former time in the evening

General Words

This general word list includes words commonly seen in genealogical sources. Numbers, months, and days of the week are listed both here and in separate sections that follow this list.

In this list, some grammatical variations of Latin words are given in parentheses. Some Latin phrases and their translations are listed [in brackets] under the most significant Latin word, not the first word, of the phrase. Words in parentheses in the English column clarify the definition.

from, by great-great-grandmother great-great-grandfather, ancestor died he/she died from this month on he/she died since he/she died, went away cabinetmaker, woodworker to renounce by oath he was baptized from, by death without, except baptized I baptize, I wash and non-Catholic, Protestant to take, receive, take possession of local resident needle maker he/she reposes, dies, is content with he died acre record to, at, in, for, towards as yet, still assistant assistant young man, adolescent adultery he appeared, came lawyer sick gypsy equal age (being) in the age of, age relationship by marriage he/she affirmed, confirmed, asserted of the official blood relative in the male line cramps farmer coppersmith white German also, otherwise, or, at, another, called elsewhere, at another time other, another Germany altar the next, the other tanner both, two together aunt, father's sister cousin, (child of father's sister) female servant male servant England soul, spirit [he/she returned his/her soul to his/her Lord (died)] in the year (of) in the year of (our) Lord in the year (since/of) the incarnation (of the Lord) year aforesaid before, in front of, prior to old, senior stroke of April at the house of, at, by, near water archdeacon archbishop archive carpenter coat of arms herdsman gentleman, squire of coats of arms but and of August goldsmith driver or but, however, moreover Alsace grandmother ancestors, grandparents grandmother nephew uncle (mother's brother) grandfather

date, given of, from, by, concerning, about illness, weakness deanery, section of a diocese deacon ten of December he/she died died, death tenth decree he/she died, lay down he/she gave deflowered, no longer a virgin he/she departed, died of the dead (people) register of the deceased he died he/she dies, is discharged of God then, thereafter, next

belovedcoin, penny, money deceased, dead he died, has died publication of marriage banns [after the publication of three marriage banns (three marriage banns having been published)] engagement engaged God right said, stated, known as twin on the day day worthy half diocese he/she died permission

of long durationdivorce dowager formerly, recently at home young lady, servant, nun young nobleman, junker, servant, servant in a monastery lady Sunday lord, rule, the Lord (Jesus Christ) home, house, family gift dowry two duchy two hundredth two hundred See dux. while, when, until, as long as two twelve twelfth eighteenth eighteen duke, leader dysentery

out of, from the same her week convulsions church [in front of the church] I the same past, elapsed lung disease for, namely, truly the same [on the same day] bishop equal knight, cavalry soldier they were therefore, because of error to be he/she is and, even and also, and even him from, out of (places of origin) he/she breathed out his/her soul (died) outside of, beyond stranger, foreign last last rites provided exile

already there in the same place the same unknown he/she went illegitimate of that, of the former hindrance, impediment (often to a marriage) [and no hindrance to the marriage having been uncovered]

empire he imposes, places upon imposed, placed upon, given [to whom was given the name] I placed upon he impregnated pregnant of the incarnation (of the Lord) inhabitant, resident index they entered into (marriage) child, infant lower weak below, under written below, undersigned he/she entered, began he was baptized injury, worry between within, during they were married, have been married they married, have married unmarried he/she found, discovered himself, herself, itself so, thus also, likewise he/she went

J

of January Thursday Jewish court, judgment of July they were joined (in marriage) of June younger, junior he/she swore, took an oath legally, lawfully I swear, testify law young man, young woman, young person near to, beside

worker, laborer wool worker clothed in wool butcher butcher weaver brick maker he was baptized, has been baptized font he was baptized, washed I baptize, wash legion legitimate he was holding, raising, lifting up godparent the godparents by the godparents to raise from the baptismal font, to act as a godparent husband's brother, brother-in-law book, register, free children pound (weight) they were married, have been married married, joined, married person I joined (in marriage) joiner, cabinetmaker woodcutter linen weaver place schoolmaster, teacher school Monday of the baptism

butcher more master large, great of May greater, older of legal age of legal age, majority badly bad, evil in the morning (signed) by one's own hand hand, band weakness of a male, man married, wife married couple married, husband of March Tuesday male, man mother aunt, mother's sister register, record book marriage [legitimized by subsequent marriage]

godmother cousin on mother's side me with me doctor beggar in the month (of) month merchant day laborer Wednesday harlot, prostitute noon mine soldier, knight thousand thousandth not of legal age of less than legal age, minority less lately, presently, now manner, way mill miller money mountain disease (according to) the new style (of dating) (according to) the old style (of dating) he/she died of death [from this mortality to immortal life (died)]

[on account of imminent danger of death (for an emergency baptism)]

he died custom, manner woman, wife many a magistrate of a town fortified, provided mutual, common

birth natural, illegitimate he was born sailor neither, nor of necessity and also merchant (commerce) no one newlywed (female) newlywed (male) nephew, grandson niece, granddaughter and not he doesn't know black nothing if not I do not know the name noble of nobility at night name name not known he was named by/with the name (of) not, no a person in his nineties ninetieth ninety nine hundredth nine hundred ninth nineteenth we, us our note well, notice notary illegitimate child nine of November stepmother night earlier today is the third day (e.g., the day before yesterday) no, none number now, at this time never messenger lately (sometimes denotes a deceased person) they married married woman, bride wedding married daughter-in-law foster father foster child foster mother

on account of, for, according to he fell asleep, died they died, have died because of impending danger of death

he/she died, went away, departed [died without issue] death, died midwife eighth eighteenth eight hundredth eight hundred eight of October a person in his eighties eightieth eighty official formerly, once (sometimes denotes a deceased person; also used in English church records to denote a name change, such as a slave name prior to baptism; "formerly known as") all, every day laborer city, town orphan origin, birth originating (from), born orphan origin, birth shepherd

fortieth forty four hundredth four hundred treasurer, paymaster how, as much as when fourth fourteenth almost, as if four fourteen and (as a suffix) who, which, what a certain person or thing fifteen five hundredth five hundred fiftieth fifty five fifth fifteenth because formerly, former (refers to a deceased person)

U

where legitimately born (born to a married couple)last, final extreme unction, the last rites, anointing wherefore, whereupon, whence eleven eleventh nineteenth nineteen Hungarian only (born) son, unique, only begotten one, only, together city how, as, that, therewith, in order that on mother's side of family, of the same mother as below as above wife married